With September officially here, it also means that it’s Happy Cat Month. To celebrate cats and in support of their wellbeing, we have uncovered the most searched questions about our feline friends.
Cat owners are utilising #catsounds, which has a total of 315.1m views on TikTok, to find out more about what different cat sounds mean, and search volume for ‘Cat Sounds’ has seen a +29% increase in in the past 12 months [1]. As often misunderstood animals, it’s important to understand cats and their sounds, to ensure the health and happiness of your feline companion.
Also, in the past 12 months, ‘Signs my cat is happy’ has seen a +67% increase in searches whilst ‘How do cats express happiness’ saw a +200% increase [2], showing that pet owners are using sounds and behaviours to help predict the overall welfare of their cat.
Kitty Bingo has asked Tommy Wylde, animal enthusiast and Editor of floofmania.com a range of the most searched for cat questions, to find out more about how to understand your cat’s sounds and create a strong bond.
As Tommy explains, a happy cat “often exhibits relaxed body language, purring, kneading, and slow blinking”, and as for signs of a sad cat, this can include “lethargy, decreased appetite, withdrawal, and aggressiveness.”
Purring
For Google’s Most Asked Questions for ‘Why’ in 2023, ‘Why do cats purr’ had an Average Global Search Volume of 90,500 [3].
In response to this highly searched question, Tommy Wylde clarifies that “Cats actually purr for several reasons. Most often it's a question of contentment. They purr when they're relaxed and happy, often when they're being petted or feel comfortable and secure. Often cats will purr while kneading with their paws.
Purring is a behaviour that kittens and mother cats use to communicate. The mother purrs to soothe the kitten and the kitten purrs back to signal that all is well (And also, to let their presence known to their mother). In adult cats, purring is often somewhat similar to what the cat did as a kitten, and it will often use purring to communicate with ‘its human’ in the same way it would purr to its mother. In addition to that, purring also helps cats reduce stress and even relieve pain to a certain extent! “
To further elaborate, Tommy highlights “Snoring-like sounds (or purring) can be due to relaxed throat muscles during sleep. If it's excessive or accompanied by other symptoms, consult a vet. I once had a cat who purred very loudly in his sleep when he was happy. He even drooled while doing so!”
Meowing
Search trends for ‘Meowing’ has also seen an increase of +22% in the past 12 months [4]. Therefore, Kitty Bingo asked Tommy why cat's meow so much.
Tommy answered that “Excessive meowing can result from various reasons, including hunger, attention-seeking, or illness. Identifying the cause isn't always evident, but often cats are just drama queens.”
Interestingly, not all cats make sounds when meowing, and Tommy explained that “A silent meow might be due to vocal cord issues or when your cat wants to communicate without making noise. This is very common and not a cause for concern!”
Vocalising
Search trends for ‘Why are cats vocal’ were up +100% [5]. Cats may use vocalisations for a range of different reasons, Tommy mentions that “Random squarks (vocalisations) can be expressions of excitement, playfulness, or a way to get attention whilst cats may display separation anxiety through excessive vocalisation”
Also, “Cats may vocalise to get their owner's attention, especially if they're eager for their company, but it's not necessarily a sign of protection. Some cats have some quite unusual sounds in their vocabulary when they're excited, though!”
Hissing
‘Cat hissing for no reason’ had a +80% increase in search trends [6], however is there a reason behind this sound?
Tommy warns that hissing isn’t a sign of a happy cat “Hissing is always a defensive action. It indicates fear, discomfort, or a desire to establish boundaries. It's important to not try and approach a hissing cat, because it'll most likely bite and scratch if you do.
When a cat hisses, try to give it some space, an easy way to escape, and show the cat that you're not trying to challenge or provoke them in any way!”
Cat Reactions
Whilst it's useful to know what different cat sounds mean, it’s also important to know which sounds cats interact with. As Tommy explains, “Cats have excellent hearing and can detect higher-pitched sounds than humans, which mean that they're definitely able to hear sounds that humans can't pick up.
Cats may react to sounds of opening a can (associated with food), their owner's voice, or a familiar toy's sound. Some cats also react to their names, but this often demands a little training and isn't as evident as it's the case with dogs.”
What sounds can cats not resist? “Cats are often drawn to sounds that mimic prey, like rustling noises or chirping birds. (But this is not always the case, and I wouldn't say that there is one sound that cats simply cannot resist).”
And when it comes to their reaction when getting woken up from sleeping, this varies between cats, “Some cats may make grumbling or irritated noises when awakened abruptly, but it varies from cat to cat. I've had cats that sort of sighed when awakened” says Tommy.
Indoor vs Outdoor Cats
Is there a difference in the sounds that outdoor cats and indoor cats make? Tommy clarifies that “Both house cats and outside cats can make similar sounds. However, outdoor cats may use vocalisations to communicate with other cats more frequently.”
It’s worth mentioning that generalisations about different cat breeds can be made, as Tommy highlighted that “Certain cat breeds tend to have consistent personality traits. For example, Siamese cats are often vocal and social, while Maine Coons are known for their friendly and gentle nature.” So, it's worth considering the breed of your cat when analysing their sounds, as some may be more vocal than others.
Behaviours
There are many myths about the nature and behaviour of cats, so we asked cat expert Tommy to set the record straight. With searches for ‘Independent cats’ up +29% in the past 12 months [7], Tommy clarified that when it comes to cat’s being self-reliant, “It's not a misconception. Cats are generally more independent than dogs, but they still require care, attention, and social interaction from their owners. Some cat breeds are more dog-like, however, like the Savannah cat.” Tommy has also shared more about his experiences of Savannah cats with National Geographic.
Searches for ‘cat showing teeth’ was up +133% [8] and Tommy elaborated that “Understanding the context is essential. Sometimes, calm, cuddly cats will suddenly bare teeth and bite your hand, especially if you pet its belly! This shouldn't be mistaken for aggression, and is really just playfulness, although it can hurt! Cats may bite for various reasons, such as playfulness, over-stimulation, or to communicate discomfort or fear.”
Numerous searches relating to cats and separation anxiety, including a +57% increase in the search for ‘signs of cat separation anxiety’ [9], highlights that many owners have noticed behaviours relating to this. As Tommy clarifies “Cats can have separation anxiety, even if they often don't appear to be overly attached to their owners. Once they're separated from their owners, they often behave a little differently as to what most would assume. They may display it through excessive vocalisation, destructive behaviour, house soiling, or clinginess when the owner is preparing to leave.”
Other common cat behaviour includes kneading, which Tommy explains as “A comforting behaviour that originates from kittenhood when they kneaded their mother's belly to stimulate milk flow. (Interestingly, human babies do this too!) Adult cats often knead when they're relaxed or content”.
Also, many cats are known to bring animals into the home, which Tommy describes as “Disgusting and cute at the same time”, which is “a form of hunting instinct or as a ‘gift’ for their owners, a behaviour stemming from their wild ancestry. Personally, I've had cats bring me everything from living mice and birds, or at one point: a half-eaten mole on my pillow!”
Ever spoken to your neighbour and it turns out your cat has been going to their house? Well, you’re not the only one, as searches for ‘Why do cats go to other houses’ has seen a +67% increase over the past 12 months [10]. Tommy expresses that “Cats may visit other houses for food due to curiosity, a desire for variety, or because they're not getting enough at home. It's essential to ensure your cat is well-fed to discourage this behaviour. It's not always easy, though. A cat I had in childhood had a habit of leaving the house for several days at a time, seemingly staying in his ‘second home’. He also ate there, apparently, since he always came home well-fed!”
Feline Love
Finally, Tommy explained that when it comes to showing your cat that you love them, you can “Show your love through petting, playtime, gentle words, treats, and spending quality time together. Cats also appreciate a safe and comfortable environment.”
When it comes to cats reciprocating the love, Tommy says “Cats may lick their owners as a sign of affection or to groom you, considering you part of their "family." If you've ever been licked by a cat, you'll know that their tongues are extremely well-adapted to picking up loose hairs, given that they have thousands of tiny barbs on the tongue's surface. Getting licked by a cat feels very rough and is nothing like being licked by a dog!”
Sources:
[1] 01.09.2023 KeywordTool.io
[2] 12.09.2023 KeywordTool.io
[3] 11.09.2023 Most Asked Questions: TOP 100 Questions ??(Asked on Google) (keywordtool.io)
[4] 12.09.2023 KeywordTool.io
[5] 12.09.2023 KeywordTool.io
[6] 12.09.2023 KeywordTool.io
[7] 12.09.2023 KeywordTool.io
[8] 12.09.2023 KeywordTool.io
[9] 11.09.2023 KeywordTool.io
[10] 11.09.2023 KeywordTool.io
For more interesting insights, stay up to date with our blog and check out our socials below.
At Kitty Bingo, we want you to enjoy every second that you play with us. Find tips on how to play safely, discover places to get support and get information on all the tools we have in place at: keepitfun.rank.com
Your privacy and security is our number one priority here at Kitty Bingo. We protect your account with market-leading security technology so we’re one of the safest online casino sites to play on. We never sell or rent customer details.
This website is operated by Rank Interactive (Gibraltar) Ltd, a company incorporated in Gibraltar with registered number 120385 with its registered address at Suite 3, 2nd Floor, Icom House, 1/5 Irish Town, Gibraltar GX11 1AA.
Licensed and regulated in Great Britain by the Gambling Commission under account number 57924 for GB customers playing on our online sites. For customers outside of Great Britain, we licensed by the Government of Gibraltar and regulated by the Gibraltar Gambling Commission under licence numbers RGL 133 and RGL 134.
Only players above the age of 18 are permitted to play our games. Underage gambling is an offence.
Please gamble responsibly and only spend what you can afford. For help and support with any gambling related issues, please contact GambleAware at https://www.gambleaware.org/ and 0808 8020 133.
We’ve also got a huge selection of Safer Gambling tools available to help you make sure your time on site remains fun and affordable. Come and visit our Safer Gambling Hub for more information.
